David Plays the Harp for King Saul
(1 Samuel 16:14-23)
King Saul had turned away from God. He had disobeyed God's commands, and now God's Spirit had left him. Without God's Spirit, Saul felt empty and afraid. The Bible says a troubling spirit from God came to torment him. This spirit filled Saul with deep sadness and fear. It made him restless and angry. He could not find peace anywhere in his palace. His servants saw how much he was suffering. They knew he needed help.
One of Saul's servants had a good idea. He said, "A troubling spirit from God is making you afraid. Let us find someone who can play the harp very well. When the spirit comes upon you, he will play music. The soothing music will make you feel better." Saul agreed to this plan. He told his servants to find a skilled musician and bring him to the palace. One servant remembered a young man named David. He was the son of Jesse from Bethlehem. The servant told Saul, "I have seen David. He is a skilled musician. He is also a brave soldier and a wise speaker. He is handsome, and most importantly, the Lord is with him."
So King Saul sent messengers to Jesse. He ordered Jesse to send his son David to the palace. Jesse did not argue with the king. He loaded a donkey with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat. He sent these gifts to Saul along with his son David. When David arrived at the palace, he stood before King Saul. Saul liked David very much. He asked David to stay and serve him. David became one of Saul's armor-bearers, a soldier who carried the king's weapons. Saul sent another message to Jesse. He said, "Please let David stay here and serve me, because I am very pleased with him."
From then on, whenever the troubling spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. He played beautiful, calming music. As David played, something amazing happened. The music drove away the fear and sadness. Saul would feel refreshed and calm. The troubling spirit would leave him, and he would feel well again. God was using young David and his music to bring peace to the troubled king. Even though Saul had turned from God, God still showed him kindness through David's gift.
A Curious Question
Why do you think God used music played on a harp to chase away the troubling spirit from King Saul?
Jesus Connection
David's music brought peace and chased away the troubling spirit from Saul. This is a picture of how Jesus brings peace to our troubled hearts. King Saul was restless because God's Spirit had left him. But Jesus, who is called the Son of David, came to bring God's Spirit back to us forever (John 14:16-17). When we trust Jesus, He sends the Holy Spirit to live in us. The Holy Spirit gives us peace, joy, and comfort. David's harp only brought temporary relief. But Jesus brings us permanent peace with God.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Saul's servants look for someone to play music for him, and why did they choose David?
- What does it mean that the Lord was with David, even when he was just a young shepherd?
- How can we use our own gifts and talents to help others who are sad or afraid?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- Use Your Gifts: Think about something you are good at, like drawing, singing, or being a good friend. How could you use that gift this week to help someone who is feeling down?
- Bring Peace: When your brother or sister is upset, you can bring peace by speaking kindly or offering to share a toy. You can be like David, who used his music to help someone feel better.
- Trust God with You: David was just a shepherd, but God was with him. You don't have to be a grown-up or a king for God to use you. He can use you right where you are.
Memorize God's Word
1 Samuel 16:23: "And whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him."
- And whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, cup your hands near your face and look worried, as if you are afraid.
- David would take the harp pretend to hold a harp in your arms.
- and play it with his hand. move your hand back and forth like you are strumming the strings.
- Then Saul would become refreshed and well, put your hands on your heart and breathe a deep sigh of relief.
- and the distressing spirit would depart from him. point away from you and make a shooing motion with your hand.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for being with us and for giving us gifts and talents to use for you. Please help us to bring peace to others when they are sad or afraid, just like David brought peace to King Saul through his music. Use us to show your love to the people around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Craft or Activity
Calming Harp Craft
Kids will make a simple harp craft to remind them of how David's music brought peace to Saul. As they work, they will talk about ways they can bring peace to others.
Materials Checklist:
- Cut a small opening in the top of a cardboard box to serve as the sound hole.
- Glue a toilet paper tube to the top of the box as the neck of the harp.
- Stretch yarn or string from the neck of the harp down to the side of the box. Secure each string with tape or a knot.
- Glue a craft stick across the bottom of the strings to create a bridge.
- Decorate your harp with markers or stickers.
- As you finish, talk about how you can use the things you are good at to bring peace to someone this week.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- For Younger Children: Focus on the simple idea that David's music made Saul feel better. Let them talk about times when a song or a kind word made them feel better.
- Classroom Management: During the story, ask the children to mimic David's harp playing by gently strumming their fingers on their desks when you say "David played his harp." This keeps them engaged.
- For Older Kids: Deepen the discussion by asking, "Why do you think Saul still felt troubled even though he had an entire kingdom?" Challenge them to think about how being close to God is more important than having power or things.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was King Saul troubled?
- Saul had disobeyed God, so God's Spirit left him, and the Bible says a troubling spirit came to torment him instead.
- How did David end up serving in Saul's palace?
- One of Saul's servants knew David was a skilled musician, so Saul sent for him, and David began playing the harp whenever the troubling spirit came on Saul.
- What happened when David played the harp for Saul?
- The music drove away Saul's fear and sadness. He would feel refreshed and well again, and the troubling spirit would leave him.